Man stabbed friend to death in self-defence, Abu Dhabi court told

A man claims he was trying to resist his friend's sexual advances when he stabbed him to death, an Appeals Court heard.

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ABU DHABI // A man stabbed his former prison cell mate to death because he was being raped at knifepoint, the Appeals Court heard.

The Iraqi said he met his friend in the capital and the pair went out to drink alcohol together before returning to the friend's apartment. The friend locked the door behind him, then undressed and produced a knife before ordering the Iraqi to have sex with him. The Iraqi tried to resist but was overpowered.

During the attack he grabbed the blade of the knife and wrestled it from his friend's grasp and then stabbed him to death. He then fled to Al Ain where he checked into Tawam Hospital and had the wounds on his hand sewed up.

The Iraqi was then arrested and a forensic investigation found traces of his sperm on the dead man, so prosecutors charged him with having homosexual intercourse in addition to premeditated murder and drinking alcohol.

He was found guilty of each charge by the Criminal Court, but despite a request by the dead man's relatives for the death sentence he was sentenced to life in prison. The case then went to the Appeals Court, where his sentence was reduced to 15 years, despite the family once more requesting the death sentence.

The Cassation Court then ruled that the former two courts were wrong to refuse the death sentence demands of the relatives, and sent the case back to the Appeals Court.

In the man's most recent appearance at the Appeals Court his lawyer claimed he was close to reconciling with the dead man's family. However, the court ordered the defence must show proof of such reconciliation.

The case was adjourned to December 30.